Posts Tagged ‘National Soccer Hall of Fame’

I’ve updated the YouTube playlist on my profile page to include a number of videos from the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Experience the Induction Ceremony first hand through my YouTube videos!!! The videos include: a message to Mia and Julie from the US Women’s National Soccer Team before their departure to China for the World Cup. the Hall of Fame Exhibition Match, AND both Mia and Julie’s complete induction speech. Here’s a preview of all the exciting video’s Girl Talk has to share!

I’ve FINALLY gotten around to updating the slideshow on my profile page with Hall of Fame pictures!! It took me forever to go through all of the pictures from the event and pick out the best ones to share with you! Between the pictures I took and the ones from the professional photographer, there were close to 2,000 pictures to look through. As i’ve been telling you and now you can see for yourself, the whole weekend was amazing! Girl Talk did a fabulous job in presenting this year’s Induction Ceremony. Take a look at my slideshow and let me know what you think.

Check out the video of me at the Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy press conference. It was incredible to hear Julie Foudy talk about Girl Talk and about the importance of making healthy and responsible decisions. Julie is a true advocate for young females. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to visit Julie’s Sports Leadership Academy’s website. Julie continues her commitment to helping young girls develop into strong woman by teaching her students the ingredients it takes to be a leader on AND off the field.

I told you yesterday how moving Julie Foudy’s and Mia Hamm’s Induction Ceremony speeches were. Now you can check them out for yourself. I didn’t get as much footage of Mia’s speech as I wanted. I got called away to do some work and prepare for the press conference. The quality isn’t the best because I recorded them on my digital camera. I’ll be sure to share with you a better quality version of the speeches and the weekend once footage from our camera crew starts rolling in. I thought you’d want a sneak peek at some of the Induction Ceremony before that.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on their speeches. Did you think they were as moving as I did?

The National Soccer Hall of Fame Induction weekend was incredible. My apologies for not being able to write and keep you updated as the weekend got going. I was busier than I ever could have imagined. Some days I was working till 10:30 pm. It was all worth it though and don’t worry to much, I was thinking about you guys all weekend. I made sure to get some great pictures to share with you. Here’s a quick overview of the Induction Ceremony and Hall of Fame Game. I’ll hopefully be updating my slide show on my Myspace profile very soon.

A record crowd of 4,800 people watched as Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy made inspirational and moving acceptance speeches. It was an honor for me to hear both of these women recall those who have shaped them into the incredible people and role models they are today. A common theme thoughout the weekend, highlighted in their speeches, is the history and legacy they want to leave for young women and that neither of these women could have succeeded on their own.

Mia and Julie attributed their success to the encouragement and supportive circle of parents, family, coaches and friends. Julie spoke about how grateful she was for her family and that her mother and father were always at her games. She recalled that even though her mother still to this day doesn’t completely understand the game of soccer, she was the first person win or loose, to tell her she played great and give her a hug after the game. Mia spoke of how meaningful it is she enters the Hall of Fame with not only one of her teammates but one of her closest friends. She thanked Julie for her leadership, the impact she made on her life, and being an ambassador and advocate for young girls and women in this country who are searching for a voice, opportunities , and ways to make a difference. Both new mothers, Mia to 5-month old twin girls and Julie to an 8-month old daughter spoke of how they hope to help their daughters find strength and confidence just like people in their lives have done for them.

The Washington Freedom vs. the Connecticut Reds in The Hall of Fame Game was just as a great as the Induction Ceremony. Mia played for the Freedom and Julie for the Reds. Hall of Famer Carla Overbeck and members of the 1986 National Team also played in the game. The ’86 team was honored by the Hall of Fame during the induction weekend. The 1986 team beat Canada 2-0 in 1986, for the first-ever win by the U.S. Women’s National Team. Even though retired for few years, nobody missed a beat. I had a sideline view and got to see all the action close up. It was great!

Not everything was fun and games though. The crowd got a little out of control when Mia was signing autographs. I had to make sure nobody was injured as thousands of fans reached for Mia’s autograph. Check out Mia signing a Girl Talk ball for one lucky fan.

Hey Everyone!Boy, what a day! If you haven’t heard yet, Brandy Chastain has just confirmed to play in the Hall of Fame Game. The game between the Washington Freedom and Connecticut Reds is scheduled for after the Induction Ceremony. Hamm, Foudy and Chastain were teammates from 1991-2004, winning two World Cups and two Olympic gold medals together.

Things here at the National Soccer Hall of Fame are really starting to pick up. I spent most of the morning touring the site and getting a better understanding of what the weekend will look like. I walked through where the induction ceremony will take place and where the press conferenece will be after the ceremony. Tomorrow the production crew will start setting up the stage and the Hall of Fame will put on a clinic for local soccer players.

We had a major shipping fiasco with one of the Girl Talk signs so my afternoon was a little more interesting. To say the least, it was an adventure driving around the back roads of upstate New York looking for a printer. Everything worked out ok and we got a new sign. I spent a few hours this evening rolling up Girl Talk shirts and sorting out soccer balls to make sure all 100 + girls who attend the clinic tomorrow get them. I had no clue preparing for an event took so much work.

As promised, I brought my camera along to give you a sneak peek and all access glimpse into the weekend. Check out my pics. I’ll be sure to have more throughout the weekend.

Here I am at the entrance in to Hall of Fame Museum.

2007 Induction banner

Soccer Hall of Fame and Girl Talk Flags on the way into the Hall of Fame

Check it out. If you missed Mia and Julie’s appearance on the Early Show this morning I have it here for you! Watch Mia and Julie kick the ball around with girls from the audience and make sure to look for the Girl Talk logo on the soccer ball Mia is holding! These are the balls that will be used in the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday!

Everyone at Girl Talk is running around getting ready for the weekend. I’ll be back later tonight with a recap of the day and hopefully some photos to share.

What is Girl Talk?

Girl Talk informs teen girls about the choices and consequences of underage drinking. Girl Talk’s website, www.grltlk.org, is a fun place for all things GIRL and encourages girls to live healthy and active lifestyles by providing them with the resources to do so.

A Note About grltlk.org

You may have noticed that grltlk.org is now being redirected here, to our Girl Talk blog. We are currently doing a bit of maintenance on the site but it'll be back up soon! So just take note that some of the links you click here on our blog may redirect you back here instead of to grltlk.org until it is re-vamped!